viernes, 26 de septiembre de 2014

I know I mainly review books, articles, and websites here but I want to find some new cookware and want your help.

My cookware set is old school. I have an old stainless steel 8 inch skillet, 12 inch cast iron skillet and 4 and 6 quart pots.

That's my extent of cookware. Four pieces. I don't need one of those 15 piece sets that clogs up my cupboard, but I will mention that I'm looking to get a new set up.

I've been reading reviews. Consumer Reports and Amazon are sites I've used. I don't think we many more pieces but I want to make sure that if we do do some cooking we're set.

I've been reading reviews of the best nonstick cookware sets because I know Sarah's never very good at cooking. (When he has cooked eggs, he's tried to scramble them in a cast iron skillet -- hello? can you say stuck eggs?)

I saw the Anolon Professional Hard Anodized set for a decent price and am considering it. I'm not a big fan of Teflon coated nonstick pots and pans and really am getting it so he can cook and not set the fire alarm off and burn everything.

I like that the Anolon has no speciality pieces and comes with standard sized saucepans, saute pans, skillets, and stockpots.

The handles don't get hot, according to reviews, and they are riveted so they won't fall out or weaken.

My big concern is that there's a lot of pieces with this. I'm sure we'll grow into as we grow as a family. I'm also concerned about the longevity of this stuff.

It says it's OK to put in the dishwasher but I know from first-hand experience when I was in college that putting nonstick stuff in the dishwasher is a sure-fire way to ruin that Teflon.

That means hand-washing. I don't have any issues with it but I worry that someone else might. I can hear it already, "Isn't that what the dishwasher is for?"

I'm sure it will work fine but this line has been discontinued.

I've also looked at cheaper models like the Rachel Ray nonstick stuff.

I love the colors that this set comes with and how the lids use handles rather than knobs. The handles, in theory, should make it easier to remove the lids.

Speaking of lids, I read that they are not interchangeable, which is a bummer. Also, I can't find any info on whether it is PTFE free or not RTFE free.

If I'm eating eggs or pancakes John's cooked on this set, I only want to taste the food, not the chemicals that go into making the cookware.

I'll probably keep looking for a new set because I don't think either of these will satisfy my requirements.

If you know of any good sites that are devoted to cookware reviews, drop a message.

martes, 23 de septiembre de 2014

We all lie sometimes, whether we are telling a tale to keep a secret, or just to save our hide. “A recent study conducted at the University of Virginia found that people told untruths in a startling 1 out of 4 conversations” (Knadler 170). With statistics like that it is possible to conclude that we are being lied too, and the only defense mechanism that we have is to be aware of getting snowballed. The first strategy that is suggested is to watch the liar’s body language, because they may be clicking a pen at a bionic rote, picking at imaginary sweater lint, or gradually backing towards an exit—broadcasting their deceitfulness (170). Their anxiety causes them to behave in this way, because of the fear of being caught and being deceitful. However, not everyone exhibits these signs when pulling the wool over your eyes, and you have to pay attention to nonverbal cues while noting if their behavior changes from what is normal for that individual (171).

The second strategy involves verbal cues, which involves tone and word choice in a conversation. Many times perjurers are to busy selling you their tale they neglect thinking about the little things such as sentence structure, verb tense, and chronology. They also tend to abstract from the details, and Knadler explains that “most people don’t think to include irrelevant trivia when selling an artificial explanation” (172).

The final strategy involves the professionals, with their ever so smooth moves—salesmen, lawyers, Presidents. Salesmen like to get cozy, and call you by your first name like you have known them for ages. “How on earth could you doubt your best friend?” (Knadler 172). Another study suggests, that it is much easier to victimize people when the liar dresses like the victim. They also imitate your language, say they have the same hobbies as you, ape your body gestures just to get close enough to pull a fast one on you.